Dye leads in money race

Mary Dye of Pomeroy topped the money part of the heated race for the state Ninth District representative seat, according to Public Disclosure Commission listings as of July 27.

Both Dye, who was appointed in May to the seat vacated by Rep. Susan Fagan’s resignation, and Richard Lathim, former Franklin County sheriff from Kahlotus, are waging a heated campaign in the primary which finished Aug. 4.

Dye’s fund raising total was reported at $15,185 with spending at $5,167.

Lathim’s total raised is at $12,046 with $8,880 in spending.

Kenneth Caylor, the Othello Democrat who is also in the race, is not included in the PDC reports which are listed on the Secretary of State’s website under the primary election voter’s guide.

Caylor Friday morning said he filed a form stating he will keep his campaign under $5,000 and choosing that option means he will not be required to file a report until after the election. He said if he is one of the top two finishers, he will change to a full reporting mode and list all donations.

He added his primary campaign fund has not hit the $5,000 limit.

Top donors to the Dye campaign, listed at $950 each, include Big I of Bellevue, Washington Beer and Wine Association, Washington Restaurant Association, Washington State Auto Dealers Political Action Committee, and Weyerhaeuser. Other political action committees donating include PMSA Washington State of San Francisco, Potato PAC of Washington D.C., and TruBlue Inc., PAC of Tacoma.

PMSA is the Pacific Merchants Shipping Association; Potato Pac represents the National Potato Council, and TrueBlue is a workforce management company based in Tacoma. Big I represents independent insurance agents.

Among individual donors to the Dye campaign is Shawn Logan, Othello mayor. He donated $100.

Topping all donors listed for the Lathim campaign at $1,000 was Rusty Morris of Kennewick, listed as a retiree.

Washington Law Enforcement Administrators of Washington is listed for two donations of $950. Other donors listed at $950 include Jeffrey Parker of Richland, Sherri Parker of Richland, and Rocking L Land & Livestock of Pasco.

The Parkers are also listed for $550 donations earlier in the campaign.